1 . As a child, there was nothing I liked better than Sunday afternoons at my grandfather’s farm in western Pennsylvania. Surrounded by miles of stone walls, the house and field provided endless hours of fun for a city kid like me.
Since my first visit to the farm, I had wanted more than anything to be allowed to climb the stone walls surrounding the houses. My parents would never agree because the walls were so old that some stones were loose and falling. However, my idea to climb across those walls grew so strong that finally I had all my courage to enter the living room, where the adults had gathered after Sunday dinner.
“I want to climb the stone walls.” I said. “Heavens, no! You’ll hurt yourself!” The response was just as I’d expected. But before I left the room, I was stopped by my grandfather’s loud voice. “Now hold on just a minute.” I heard him say. “Let the boy climb the stone walls. He has to learn to do things for himself.”
“Go,” he said to me, “and come and see me when you get back.” For the next two and a half hours I climbed those old walls —and had the time of my life. Later I met with my grandfather to tell him about my adventures. I’ll never forget what he said. “Fred,” he said, smiling, “you made this day a special day just by being yourself. Always remember, there’s only one person in this whole world like you, and I like you exactly as you are.”
Many years have passed since then, and today I host the television program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, seen by millions of children throughout America. There have been changes over the years, but one thing remains the same: my message to children at the end of almost every visit. “There’s only one person in this whole world like you,” the kids will hear me say, “and people can like you exactly as you are.”
1. Why did the writer enjoy his visits to the farm?| A．There were old stone houses. | B．He was allowed to climb the walls. |
| C．He missed his grandfather a lot. | D．He could experience new fun there. |
| A．He was backed up by his grandfather to follow his heart. |
| B．He didn’t expect his parents’ disagreement on wall climbing. |
| C．He became a TV program host with his grandfather’s help. |
| D．He didn’t know the possible danger of the stone walls. |
| A．Open-minded. | B．Adventurous. | C．Kind-hearted. | D．Dependable. |
| A．Unforgettable Childhood | B．Just Be Yourself |
| C．Do Whatever You Like | D．Like grandfather, like grandson |
2 . What Friendship Means to Me
When deciding what is most important in life, some people choose money, while others choose things like security and comfort.
Friendship means not being alone. Once I was travelling for sightseeing by myself. I didn't mind being alone, but when I saw all of the tourists having their pictures taken together. I began feeling sad. I ended up returning to the train station and spending the rest of the day in the waiting room.
Friendship means having someone to rely on. Last year, I left my schoolbag on a trolleybus, and I lost all of my notes for the final exam.
Friendship means being committed to others.
Friendship means a lot to me in a word.
| A．You can imagine how worried I was. |
| B．What’s worse, I couldn’t find my wallet. |
| C．It gives me a sense of purpose and belonging. |
| D．The best way to have a friend is to be a friend. |
| E．Life is no fun without a companion to share it with. |
| F．Friendship provides support in both good and bad times. |
| G．However, for me, the most important thing in life is friendship. |
3 . It is getting hot. It’s time to put on
Yesterday brought a(n)
When you come across such sudden callers, you are
We can’t stop
The presence of our dear sparrow holds magical consistency with real life. And we’ve been having lovely sparrows coming over lately, whose presence
Like different human beings, these sparrows often take different forms. We’ve met sparrows like those, of all shapes and colors. And they’re everywhere. Perhaps all of them are willing to call our
| A．tighter | B．lighter | C．bigger | D．cleaner |
| A．unstoppable | B．uncomfortable | C．unforeseen | D．unwelcomed |
| A．slipped | B．walked | C．advanced | D．spread |
| A．proud | B．safe | C．afraid | D．likely |
| A．keep | B．watch | C．receive | D．collect |
| A．chose | B．hit | C．bit | D．rose |
| A．designing | B．observing | C．managing | D．preparing |
| A．vegetables | B．fruits | C．goods | D．leftovers |
| A．provided | B．equipped | C．comforted | D．satisfied |
| A．Repeatedly | B．Surprisingly | C．Undoubtedly | D．Traditionally |
| A．lose | B．seek | C．give | D．gather |
| A．intruders | B．strangers | C．instructors | D．breakers |
| A．forces | B．draws | C．cuts | D．drives |
| A．agreement | B．attention | C．acceptance | D．expression |
| A．impression | B．expression | C．existence | D．difference |
4 . George saved every coin for twenty years and used all that money to build a house on his farm for his family.
But just two days before that day, a (n)
However, George took out the
George smiled and said. “You only
| A．Actually | B．Suddenly | C．Finally | D．Obviously |
| A．canceled | B．chosen | C．changed | D．forgotten |
| A．flood | B．sandstorm | C．typhoon | D．earthquake |
| A．hearing | B．spreading | C．breaking | D．editing |
| A．town | B．market | C．village | D．farm |
| A．respect | B．concern | C．thanks | D．wishes |
| A．impress | B．praise | C．comfort | D．accept |
| A．sweets | B．tools | C．coins | D．bricks |
| A．awkward | B．anxious | C．pleased | D．confused |
| A．confident | B．amazed | C．crazy | D．powerful |
| A．money | B．time | C．chance | D．profit |
| A．putting away | B．handing out | C．packing up | D．showing off |
| A．challenge | B．explore | C．fear | D．notice |
| A．positive | B．ugly | C．natural | D．caring |
| A．remembered | B．killed | C．found | D．sheltered |
Zu Ti of the Jin Dynasty was a man who had with great ambition. When he was young, he had a good friend
One day, when they were sleeping. Zu Ti heard the rooster crowing (鸡鸣) . He woke up Liu Kun and said, “How about
The idiom “to rise with the rooster” teaches us that with ambition and hard work,
6 . I’m in middle school, and not that good at reading. I am a little behind and hate the books we are made to read. But I want to get better at reading. I don’t like being the weakest reader in the class. I want to change. I know I need help when it comes to reading. I’m hopeful that I can overcome (克服) my weakness if I try to find some ways and work hard.
So I go to the library every weekend. Last Saturday I went straight to the Young Adult section to search. There were hundreds of books to choose from. Finally, I saw a cover that was shiny, and it reflected (反射) the light and caught my eye. I saw that it was blue — I liked blue. So I picked it up and read the back. It sounded interesting, although it was the second book in the series, I got it. I read that book in two days, and found it was so attractive, so I read the whole series in a week.
By judging (判断) a book by its cover, I was not only able to pick up a book that became one of my favourites, but I also didn’t have to pick up hundreds of books that I may not like. If I never judged a book by its cover, I might have never found that book in the first place.
This advice is suitable for other things in life as well, especially when it comes to people. It’s not always exact, but by judging a person by their appearance — the way they dress, talk, and act — you can quickly see if you want to read their general condition by having a conversation with them. If you enjoy them like you enjoy a good book, then you can keep them in your inner circle — the people that you care about and who care about you.
1. Why does the writer visit the library?| A．He is the weakest reader. |
| B．He begins to like books. |
| C．He needs to borrow a book. |
| D．He hopes to improve his reading skills. |
| A．Caring and helpful. |
| B．Positive and hard-working. |
| C．Adventurous and unique. |
| D．Outgoing and admirable. |
| A．The back. | B．The pictures. |
| C．The cover. | D．The introduction. |
| A．What pains us trains us. |
| B．Judging a book by its cover. |
| C．Actions speak louder than words. |
| D．Hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. |
7 . There are places that call your name. Though time passes, there’s an eternal (永恒的) calling, an ancient draw to experience their offerings. Egypt has always been that magical place for me. I wanted to ride a camel around the pyramids. I wanted to feel connected to an ancient civilization (文明) and have a sense of how its people saw life, death and rebirth.
The pandemic (流行病) made my desire to visit Egypt even stronger. I lost loved ones like many. One outcome for me was a reminder that no one knows what’s around the corner. Life is precious and we need to live it while we can. If I have to ride a camel, the time is now.
The camel adventure was planned for my second day in Egypt My four-legged adventure partner, named Humphrey, and we eyed each other. Then I threw my leg over his back and the owner ordered him to stand up so l moved to the best position for pictures. The smile on my face in those photos is never bigger.
And then the most wonderful thing happened: The camel boss looked at me and asked, “You ride horses? I replied, ”Yes. ”He threw the rope up to me and said, “It’s just like a horse. ”
I was shocked. “Can I go anywhere?”He nodded.
For the next 25 minutes, I rode with Humphrey on the Giza Plateau admiring the most impressive view of the Great Pyramid of Giza, a wonder from the ancient world that bas survived to the present day. As I made my way back, the camel boss asked if I wanted to go faster. Of course!
During my brief time on the plains of the Middle East, I felt its mystery (神秘), but also a little magic. Returning home to Canada, I continued to feel that magic and mystery. It also affirmed (证实) that life is about living fully each day, but death is part of life’s package. It cannot be avoided, and the Egyptians accepted that view naturally. They did not fear death but planned for it by living fully.
1. Why did the author choose Egypt?| A．To answer a call from a friend. | B．To admire ancient drawings. |
| C．To learn how to ride a camel. | D．To experience its civilization. |
| A．Life is a reminder. | B．Take immediate action. |
| C．Treat our loved ones well. | D．Get prepared for the future. |
| A．They believe it natural. | B．They feel it a magic. |
| C．They think it terrible. | D．They refuse to face t |
| A．Life. | B．Magic. | C．Rebirth. | D．Civilization |
8 . It was the first run of a family ski weekend in Colorado.The perfect spring morning greeted us with clear skies and a warm temperature.We planned the course on the mountain map and set off.Then, three minutes into the run, my left ski came off; then my right ski turned over and took my leg with it, and then I heard the sharp sound.I lay on the snow, screaming.My brother and husband stopped and took me down the mountain to the hospital．
After an operation, the doctor told me that I wouldn’t walk for three months.It seemed like a blow.“How can we get everything done?” I turned to Adam, my husband.Who would get the kids to the bus at 7:15 a.m. , since my husband was in his office by 6 a.m. each day? Who would deal with the two dogs? Who would prepare dinner? Who would drive to tennis practices? “We’ll work it out,” Adam said.I nodded, because we didn’t have the other choice．
But something unexpected happened: friends both near and far were searching for ways they could help.Parents at our school bus stop offered to drop my kids off each afternoon.My kids ran up the steps each day to check on me.My husband, the man who, in the past, had to be told what to do and when to do it, pulled our family back up.
Finally, I returned to the shopping and the bus pickups. I made dinners again.I organized everyone and sent them out the door.But something had changed in our family, in me.Now I am quicker to ask for help if I am the one needing.
1. In which activity did the author break her legs?| A．Hiking． | B．Horse riding． | C．Snow skiing． | D．Mountain climbing． |
| A．Serious． | B．Anxious． | C．Confused． | D．Impressed． |
| A．My attitude changed． | B．Things went on smoothly． |
| C．My friends became active． | D．My husband got everything done． |
| A．We should enjoy our life． | B．We should live in the moment． |
| C．We should value our family． | D．We should be brave to ask for help． |
9 . Life is a journey filled with ups and downs. It’s important to understand that failure is simply a part of that
Let me share a
But this dishonesty didn’t bring me any closer to success. In fact, it only made things worse when I was eventually
So remember: failure is not a sign of weakness, but an opportunity for
| A．journey | B．lesson | C．process | D．success |
| A．busiest | B．earliest | C．darkest | D．hottest |
| A．partners | B．masters | C．adults | D．clerks |
| A．joy | B．crisis | C．truth | D．difficulty |
| A．doubt | B．reduce | C．prove | D．discover |
| A．sad | B．classic | C．personal | D．different |
| A．death | B．failure | C．trouble | D．competition |
| A．competed | B．continued | C．struggled | D．dealt |
| A．convincing | B．cheating | C．disappointing | D．asking |
| A．adding | B．comparing | C．preferring | D．changing |
| A．determined | B．convinced | C．hurt | D．caught |
| A．accept | B．cover | C．share | D．report |
| A．amazing | B．horrible | C．new | D．special |
| A．entirely | B．gradually | C．apparently | D．slightly |
| A．understanding | B．growth | C．dialogue | D．recovery |
10 . When I was younger, I faced one obstacle, the divorce (离婚) of my parents. I wanted to know why my mother left and no longer lived in my house, but I was not able to understand exactly what had happened. Puzzles became my escape as I knew that all puzzles have an answer; they had unknowingly become a large part of my childhood as they made sense to me unlike what was going on in my life.
My love for puzzles led me to buying a Rubik’s cube (魔方) after I saw my friend solve his own. In the beginning, I was unable to follow the guide that came with the first Rubik’s cube I bought, but then I searched up a tutorial online and learned by watching. Using my skill of memory, I was able to remember possible patterns that the Rubik’s cube could be after each step.
After I learned how to solve a Rubik’s cube and learned that it could be solved many ways, I never got tired of solving it, because there were so many combinations that every time I mixed it up, there was a different solution.
My outlook of the world changed, as I realized that there is not one concrete solution to everything, but multiple solutions. Being able to see things differently, the ways I solved some problems with multiple solutions were uncommon among my classmates. My 10th grade math teacher had acknowledged this when he wrote a comment on my test, saying he had not thought about solving a problem the way I had solved it. I gained a new perspective in approaching the challenges of life. The obstacles that we encounter throughout our lifetime are preparation in order for us to solve the everlasting mystery of life.
1. What were the puzzles for the author at the beginning?| A．A replacement for friends. | B．A way to understand parents. |
| C．A solution to the mysteries of life. | D．A distraction from parents’ divorce. |
| A．For the joy in the process. | B．For the achievements in learning. |
| C．For the possibility to different solutions. | D．For the praise from teachers and classmates. |
| A．Hard work pays off. | B．Rome isn’t built in one day. |
| C．Failure is the mother of success. | D．There is more than one way to go in life. |
| A．They make life more challenging. | B．They prepare people for life puzzles. |
| C．They test people’s problem-solving skills. | D．They prevent people from finding solutions. |
